Knollendam (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)

Knollendam, a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. When the government in 1535 in consequence of the Münster catastrophe passed sterner measures against the heretics, Knollendam was one of the places named, "where the Anabaptists stayed most." At the end of 1535 special police appeared from the court to seize them. But they had already fled. Four houses in which Anabaptists had lived were razed, and one was burned as an abhorrent example. On 10 April 1535, Claesz Matthijs of Knollendam confessed his faith in The Hague with death by fire.

In Knollendam and the adjoining villages, Marken-Binnen, Krommeniedijk, and Uitgeest, congregations were soon formed, which united to a greater or lesser degree with Knollendam. In 1672-1678 and 1726-1733 these churches revealed a spirit of sacrifice for the sake of exemption from military service and aid to brethren in other countries.

The congregation at Uitgeest died out about 1750. The Krommeniedijk congregation united with Knollendam in 1804. The few members of Marken-Binnen joined the Knollendam congregation in 1828. In the 18th century this congregation usually was called West-Knollendam. Originally meetings were held in the homes of the members. In the early 17th century a frame church was built, renovated in 1745 and 1753 and replaced by a brick church in 1842; an organ was added in 1897.

The membership always was small, numbering 70 in 1772, 36 in 1804, 77 in 1861, 130 in 1900, and 35 in 1956. From 1850-1955 the following ministers served here: D. Lodeesen 1855-1856, H. de Boer 1857-1859, R. Brouwer 1860-1863, G. A. Hulshoff 1864-1889, and J. F. Knipscheer 1890-1930. The pulpit was vacant after 1930; in 1934-1947 and again after 1955, the congregation was served by the pastor of Wormerveer.